Kathy Hochul state policy actions

In early July 2026 Governor Kathy Hochul issued an executive order launching a statewide "Regulatory Reset" that tasked New York agencies with reviewing thousands of regulations, fees and reporting requirements. The effort, part of the EXPRESS NY program, employed AI tools and human experts to identify outdated rules and paperwork burdens, with the first wave of reforms expected later in the year.

By late July, Hochul shifted focus to immigration enforcement, ordering twelve local police agencies to terminate their 287(g) agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The directive, mandated under the state’s Local Cops, Local Crimes Act, required agencies to report status by 14 August and complete termination by 25 August. The move was framed as a response to state legislation restricting local participation in federal immigration enforcement and drew criticism from Republican officials.

Both actions illustrate Hochul’s use of executive authority to reshape New York’s regulatory landscape and its approach to immigration policy amid a turbulent 2026 midterm election environment.